Welcome to the NBA DFS Bargains column, where we’ll sort through value plays in salary cap formats like FanDuel and DraftKings. Please take note that this article was created earlier in the day, so pertinent injury information and breaking news could add or subtract bargain situations. Paying attention to our NBA News & Headlines feed is one way to stay on top of everything.
With that, let’s go ahead and dive into the bargain bin!
[[ad:athena]]
FANDUEL & DRAFTKINGS BARGAINS
TJ Warren – SF – Phoenix (FD: $6200 / DK: $6200)
Warren got into foul trouble on Wednesday vs. Philadelphia, causing him to flop for only 9.4 FP in 20 minutes. However, he was heating up with 45 and 38 fantasy points in two games prior to that disappointment. I’m expecting Warren to get back within that range against a Clippers team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency vs small forwards and seventh in pace. He makes for a fine mid-range pick through all formats on both sites.
Terry Rozier – PG – Boston (FD: $6100 / DK: $6100)
Kyrie Irving didn’t play Wednesday against Minnesota, opening the door for Rozier to accumulate 43 fantasy points in 32 minutes. Irving has been ruled out again tonight, so Rozier will see another expanded workload. The salary has risen on both FanDuel and DraftKings, but “Scary Terry” should still exceed value on this price point. It helps that he’s facing a Dallas team that ranks 20th in defensive efficiency vs opposing backcourts.
Luke Kornet – PF – New York (FD: $5500 / DK: $5400)
Kornet received his first start last Thursday at Milwaukee, promptly averaging a consistent 32 FPPG over three games in that role. His salary has yet to fully account for the uptick in minutes, so he’s a worthy bargain through all formats this evening. Playing up in pace against a Lakers team that ranks below average in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts doesn’t hurt either.
Jaylen Brown – SG – Boston (FD: $4500 / DK: $4800)
Brown could be another beneficiary of Kyrie Irving’s absence, although to a lesser extent than Rozier. If you recall, Brown is fresh off a 30 points (44 FP) effort at San Antonio on Wednesday, and his playing time becomes more secure with less competition in the Boston backcourt. His price is still cheap, and the matchup looks good against a Dallas team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency vs shooting guards.
Josh Okogie – SG – Minnesota (FD: $3800 / DK: $3900)
It appears that Robert Covington will miss his second-straight game, promoting Okogie into the starting lineup yet again. The rookie couldn’t take advantage of the increase opportunity last game while running into foul trouble at Boston. Okogie has proven himself capable of putting up numbers when seeing reasonable minutes several times this season, so we’ll chalk that performance up to general inconsistencies of a young player. He could have an easier time in this home draw against a mediocre Orlando defense. As long as foul trouble doesn’t get in the way, Okogie could realistically log somewhere around 30+ minutes tonight. That would put him well on track to a strong “per dollar” performance considering the near-minimum price tag.
ALSO CONSIDER
We have a few injury situations to monitor for potential bargain consequences. Here they are:
1) Dante Exum (UTA) would become a strong value candidate through all formats if Ricky Rubio (questionable) is out. Rubio missed Monday’s game vs New York, and Exum promptly stepped in for 32 fantasy points in 26 minutes. The matchup looks great at Cleveland as well – who ranks dead last vs opposing point guards.
2) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL) could be looking at some serious minutes if Kyle Kuzma (questionable) is unable to play. Kuzma left with a lower back contusion in the second quarter of Wednesday’s game vs Oklahoma City, and Pope filled in for 37 FP in 34 minutes.
Other reasonable value plays include Darren Collison (PG – IND), Kyle Anderson (SF – MEM), Noah Vonleh (PF – NYK), and Jerami Grant (PF – OKC). All of these guys lean more towards tournament plays, and you can read their full rationale in the NBA GPP Pivots article for Friday.
